Question

A person rides a Ferris wheel that turns with constant angular velocity. Her weight is 549.0 N. At the top of the ride her apparent weight is 1.500 N different from her true weight. What is her apparent weight at the top of the ride?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that the angular velocity is constant.

The actual weight is W = 549N

The ride apparent weight is

W' = 1.5N

Apparent weight at the top of the ride?

Using newton second law of motion

ΣF = m•ar

ar is the radial acceleration

N — W = —m•ar

N = W —m•ar

N = mg —m•ar

N = m(g—ar)

The apparent weight is equal to the normal

W'(top) = N = m(g—ar)

W'(top) = m(g—ar)

W'(top) = mg —m•ar

We know that the actual weight is

W=mg

Also, the apparent weight is

W' = m•ar

Then

W'(top) = Actual weight - apparent

W'(top) = 549—1.5

W'(top) = 547.5 N